Pickleball Expands in New Jersey: A new chapter begins for a space where customers once shopped for home essentials. The Picklr, a national indoor pickleball franchise, is set to open its first New Jersey club in the former Bed Bath & Beyond location on Route 72 in Manahawkin. The store closed earlier this year, and now the 22,500-square-foot space in Kohls Plaza Shopping Center will be transformed into a state-of-the-art pickleball venue.
Arete Sports Group, a franchisee of The Picklr, has signed the lease and plans to begin construction this month, with the opening slated for later this year. The Manahawkin club is just the beginning, as Arete Sports Group plans to open more than 15 clubs over the next year in areas including parts of New Jersey, Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island, and Rockland County, New York.
The Picklr Manahawkin-LBI will feature seven professional-quality courts equipped with sound reduction systems and low-glare lighting. In addition, the facility will include a full pro shop, café, lounge, and locker rooms. Memberships will offer unlimited open play, league play, tournaments, and access to clinics and guest passes each month.
“While Manahawkin, Long Beach Island and its surroundings are renowned as prime summer destinations, there’s a very strong local pickleball community here all year long in dire need of a high-quality indoor venue, so the demand is high,” said Tom Neale, founder of Arete Sports Group, who also owns a summer home in Surf City. “Part of our mission is touplift people’s lives through the sport of pickleball and to contribute to the growth of the sport.”
According to a 2023 report by the Sports & Fitness Industry Association and Pickleheads, pickleball participation increased by 85.7% from the previous year, with 8.9 million people playing at least once in 2022. The number of new players in 2022 exceeded the total number of participants in 2021. New Jersey currently ranks 21st in pickleball facilities, with 1,100 courts across 247 locations. The industry is projected to need over $900 million for court construction nationally in the coming years to meet growing demand.
Standalone indoor pickleball clubs are on the rise in Monmouth and Ocean counties. One Love Pickleball is set to open this summer at Seaview Square Shopping Center in Ocean Township, featuring seven indoor courts in an 18,000-square-foot facility. Additionally, Supreme Courts has signed a lease for a 15,000-square-foot club at Bellcrest Plaza in Toms River, while Pickleball HQ is set to open with 18 or 19 courts at Commerce Plaza in Aberdeen.
This wave of new facilities signals a growing commitment to supporting the sport’s rapid expansion, ensuring that pickleball enthusiasts in New Jersey have top-notch venues to enjoy year-round.
News in Brief: Pickleball Expands in New Jersey
The Picklr, a national indoor pickleball franchise, is opening its first New Jersey club in the former Bed Bath & Beyond location on Route 72 in Manahawkin. The 22,500-square-foot space will be transformed into a state-of-the-art pickleball venue with seven courts, a pro shop, café, lounge, and more. Arete Sports Group, the franchisee, plans to open 15 additional clubs in New Jersey and New York. This expansion reflects the growing popularity of pickleball, with participation up 85.7% in 2022. Other standalone clubs are also emerging in Monmouth and Ocean counties, indicating strong demand for indoor facilities.
